Methods of detecting βA4 peptide species ending at carboxy-terminus residue 42 using monoclonal antibody 369.2B

Abstract

The instant invention provides for monoclomal antibody 369.2B which is specific for the beta A4 peptide, and in particular the free C-terminus of beta A4 "1-42" but not "1-43", and stains diffuse and fibrillar amyloid, vascular amyloid, and neurofibrillary tangles. The instant invention further provides for antibody fragments and constructs thereof which have the same binding specificity. The instant invention also provides for methods of diagnosis, screening and therapeutics for treating unique forms of beta A4 peptide, using the antibodies of the instant invention.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of specifically detecting the presence of βA4 peptide species ending at carboxy-terminus residue 42 (alanine) in tissue, comprising contacting a tissue sample with monoclonal antibody 369.2B or binding fragment thereof to specifically bind said peptide, and detecting the presence of specifically bound monoclonal antibody 369.2B or binding fragment thereof, wherein the monoclonal antibody is produced by ATCC hybridoma 11829. 
     
     
       2. A method of specifically detecting in a sample the presence of βA4 peptide species ending at carboxy-terminus residue 42 (alanine) in diffuse amyloid, fibrillar amyloid, neurofibrillary tangles, and vascular amyloid deposits, comprising contacting a sample to be tested with monoclonal antibody 369.2B or binding fragment thereof to specifically bind said peptide, and detecting the presence of specifically bound monoclonal antibody 369.2B or binding fragment thereof, wherein the monoclonal antibody is produced by ATCC hybridoma 11829. 
     
     
       3. A means for selectively detecting the presence of βA4 peptide species ending at carboxy-terminus residue 42 (alanine) comprising an active βA4 peptide-binding fragment of monoclonal antibody 369.2B, wherein the monoclonal antibody is produced by ATCC hybridoma 11829.